Staple forming and setting machine



March 16, 1943. R. E. ZERUNEITH STAPLE FORMING AND SETTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 1, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 .m J. F 2 5 inf El 8 54 RUDOUH E. ZERUNEITH W ATTORN EYS March 16, 1943. ZERUNElTH 2,314,184

STAPLE FORMING AND SETTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 1', 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FI IO INVENTOR RUDOLPH E. ZERUNEIT'H ATTORNEYS March 16, 1943. R. E. ZERUNEITH STAPLE FORMING AND SETTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 1, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 lNVENTOR RUDOLPH E. ZERUNEITH BY ATTORNEYS March 16, 1943. R. E. ZERUNEITH 2,314,184

STAPLE FORMING AND SETTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 1; 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 68 Fug. 23

N 0mm '59 8 29 1 gszm\ a ATTORN EYs Patented Mar. 16, 1943 STAPLE FORMING AND SETTING MACHINE Rudolph E. Zeruneith, Jersey City, N. 1., assignor to Conmar Products Corporation, Bayonne, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application August 1, 1940, Serial No. 349,268

8 Claims.

This invention relates to staple forming and setting machines.

The primary object of the present invention is to generally improve such machines. A more particular object is to provide a machine of the specified character particularly intended to make and apply end stops for slide fasteners. In preferred form, the invention is adapted to apply an end stop either beyond the fastener elements or, where a stronger connection is needed, around the fastener elements.

Another object of the invention is to improve the cutting die with a view to simplifying and facilitating resharpening of the same. Another object is to control the movement of the staple former from the staple driver by means of a pusher, the operation of which is positively controlled in both directions.

Still another object is to improve the feed mechanism of the machine, the latter being made inoperative at the beginning of each stapling operation and remaining so until the stapling stroke has been completed, thus preventing jamming of the machine by feeding a second staple blank before the first or preceding staple has been driven home or set.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as will hereinafter appear, my invention consists in the staple forming and setting elements and their relation one to the other, as hereinafter are more particularly described in the specification and sought to be defined in the claims. The specification is accompanied by drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a stapling machine embodying features of my invention;

Fig. 2 a side elevation ofthe same; v

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the end of a piece of fiat metal wire from which the staples are formed;

' Fig. 4 shows a staple blank cut from the continuous wire;

Fig. 5 shows the same after the forming operation;

Figs. 6 and 7 show the closed or clinched staple as used around fastener elements;

Figs. 8 and 9 show the curled or clinched staple as used beyond the fastener elements;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the stapling head, looking in a direction opposite that shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 11 is a front elevation of the stapling head, with its cover plate removed;

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the stapling head, looking in the same direction as in Fig. 2;

Fig. 13 is a horizontal section through the driver above the former, taken approximately in the plane of the line l3-l3 of Figs. 11 and 12;

Fig. 14 is a horizontal section through the driver and the former, taken approximately in the plane of the line "-44 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 15 is a horizontal section at the cuttin die, taken approximately in the plane of the line l5-l5 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 16 is a partially sectioned vertical elevation explanatory of the feed mechanism, and is taken approximately in the plane of the line Iii-l6 of Fig. 17;

Fig. 16a is a detail'of the feed pawl;

Fig. 1'! is a plan view of the staple driving head; I

Fig. 18 is a vertical section through the staple driving head, taken approximately in the plane of the line Iii-i8 of Fig. 17, and shows the relation of the parts at the beginning of the operation;

Fig. 19 is a similar section showing the relation of the parts during the cutting operation;

Fig. 20 is a similar section showing the relation of the parts during the forming operation;

Fig. 21 is a similar section showing the relation of the parts following the forming operation;

Fig. 22 shows the relation of the parts at the beginning of the driving operation before the former reaches the work;

Fig. 23 is a similar section showing the relation of the parts at the end of the driving operation;

Fig. 24 is a plan view of a clincher with a fixed positioning stop;

Fig. 25 is a plan view of a clincher with a yieldable positioning stop; and

Fig. 26 is a section taken in elevation through the clincher of Fig. 25.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 9, I there show one end of a slide fastener comprising tapes I2 having beaded edges It on which are secured interlockable fastener elements l6. These may be conventional,and are operated in the usual way by means of a slider which is not shown in the drawings. The tapes are held together, and the motion of the slider is limited by means of a so-called end stop Hi. In the present case this consists of a broad, sturdy staple the prongs of which pass through the tapes beyond the series of fastener elements.

In Fig. 7 I show a modification in which the end stop 20 is secured around a group of fastener elementsnear one end of the series.

Referring now to Figs. 3 through 8, the end stop or staple is formed from a reel or strip of metal or flat wire 22. A staple blank is severed therefrom by means of a cutting die and punch which are generally V-shaped, the blank then appearing as shown at 24 in Fig. 4, it being provided with a single point 28 at one end and two points 28 at the opposite end. This arrangement has the advantage of cutting the wire symmetrically so that there is no tendency to warp or twist the wire.

The blank is next bent to inverted U-shape, thus forming the staple into the shape shown in Fig. 5, there being a top or bridge portion 88 and downwardly bent points 28 and 28. When the staple is driven through the fastener, the latter is rested on an appropriate clincher which clinches or curls the points so that the staple assumes a configuration somewhat like that shown in Fig. 8 when applied beyond the fastener elements as shown in Fig. 9. The points assume a more open or less curled configuration somewhat like that shown in Fig. 6 when the staple is applied around the fastener elements, as shown in Fig. 7.

A floor-type machine for forming and setting the end stops or staples is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. This comprises a generally upright frame or housing 32 supported on a suitable base 34. The housing 32 carries an overhanging arm 38 at its upper end. In the present case the housing, base, andarm are all formed integrally. A staple forming and driving head generally designated 38 is carried at the forward end of arm 36. This is disposed above a clincher 48 which is preferably yieldably carried on an arm 42 secured at 44 to housing 32. The mounting is preferably made with slots so. that the elevation of arm 42 may be adjusted, as by means of adjusting screw 48 hearing against a suitable boss 48. The yieldable mounting of clincher 48 may be provided by means of a compression spring 58.

The machine is operated by means of a treadle 52 pivoted at 54 and connected to a generally upright link 58. The upper end of link 88 is connected to a lever 58 pivoted at 88 and connected at its forward end 82 to trunnions 84' on a block 88 bolted to the upper end of avertically movable slide 88. The necessary movements of the machine are obtained from the movement of slide 88. The slide 88 and treadle 82 are normally elevated by means of a pull spring 18 the upper end of which is connected to lever 58', and

the lower end of which is connected to the frame, I

as by means of a pin I2. The upward movement may, if desired, be limited by means of a stop screw 14 at the top of overhanging frame arm 88, and the downward movement may be limited by means of a stop screw I8 projecting from base 84.

It will be understood that the machine may,

matlcally moved away from reel 88 when additional wire is needed, as indicated by tightening of the loop of wire around the guide 84, the latter preferably being a spring arm one end of which is'so secured to the brake at 82 that a pull on the wire turns the brake away from the reel.

The staple driving head is drawn to larger scale in Figs. 10, 11 and 12, and the wire feed means is shown in still larger scale in Figs. 16 and 17. Referring to these figures, particularly the latter, the flattened wire 22 is led by the upper guide means 88 to a position between friction feed if desired, be motor-operated, in which case a.

treadle may be employed, but solely for the purpose of engaging a single-revolution clutch between a motor-driven shaft and a shaft driving the lever 58.

Referring to Fig. l, the upper part of the frame is provided with a sidewardly projecting bracket 18 carrying a reel 88 of the flat wire from which the staples are formed. The wire is fed over a guide 94 mounted at 82 on a brake arm 84, and is then fed downwardly through an upper guide 88, to friction feed mechanism generally designated 88, and then to a lower guide 88 which is curved to feed the wire in an approximately horizontal direction at 82. The brake 84 is autowheels I88 and I82. ..Wheel I88 is secured to a gear I84, and wheel I82 is secured to a gear I88, each feed wheel and its sear preferably being equal in pitch diameter. One of the feed wheels, in this case the wheel I88, is rotatably mounted on an eccentric mounting so arranged as to yieldably urge the feed wheels together. Specifically, the feed wheel is rotatable on a pin I88 which is eccentrically received in a larger pin II8 which is oscillatable in a bearing II2. A finger II4 depends from pin II8, the upper end of finger Ill being screwed into pin H8, and its lower end being exposed as shown. The intermediate part of the pin passes through a large clearance hole H8 which affords oscillating movement or adjustment of finger H4. The finger is urged in a clockwise direction by means of a plunger H8 and a compression spring I28 held by a threaded plug I22. The maximum movement of finger II4 may, if desired, be limited by a stop screw I24 the adjustment of which may in turn be fixed by a set screw I28. The large-diameter pin H8 is held against axial movement by means of a screw I28 the end of which is formed into a pin which is received in a groove I38 formed peripherally.

downward movement of the slide, the pawl I42 is moved to the right against the pressure of spring I44. When it is moved to the right, as shown in Fig. 16, it is locked in retracted position by means of "a vertically movable detent I4 8,',th latter "being urged down'wardly' by means of a compression spring I48; "A'relea'se finger or feele'i' I88 extends-downwardlyfrom the center of detent in and passes through aslot 1521*(Fii1ltai inpawl I42. 1? I Referring now to Figs; 11 and, 12, the release finger I58 is adapted to cooperate with a ably located stop surface I54, the parts being so dimensioned that the release fingerstrikes the stop surface I54 only at the end of the downward stroke of the slide 88'. Reverting to 'Fig. 16, it will be seen that the feed pawl l42 is rendered inoperative at the beginning of the downward stroke of the slide, and that it remains inoperative unless and until the staple. driving; stroke is completed. If the treadle is released after only a partial descent, there isno feed of the staple wire during upward movementof the slide, and this prevents one staple from being jammed on top of another. If, however;

the staple driving stroke is completed, the :feed

pawl is released, and is then operative during upward movement of the slide.

A holding dog I86 may be provided for cooperation with the ratchet wheel I88, this being normally urged downwardly by a plunger I88 (Fig. 16) and a compression spring I80 (Fig. 11) the spring being held in place by a screw plug I62.

The cutting mechanism comprises a die I84, and a vertically reciprocable cutting punch which punch is preferably formed integrally with and constitutes structurally a part of the vertically reciprocable former I68. The wire is fed over the die I64 by a curved guide 92 previously referred to.

Turning now to Fig. 15, the die I64 is formed at one end of a relatively extensive flat plate I61, the latter being secured to the bottom of the staple driving head by means of six screws I88 disposed on opposite sides of a suitable sloping guide or channel I (Fig. 11). The top of the plate and the top of the die constitute a continuous flat surface. With this arrangement the entire die plate I81 is readily removed from the head, and may be ground over its top surface to resharpen the die.

The cooperating cutting punch is, in the present case, formed by a matingly shaped channel I12 (Fig. 14) cut in the outer side of one half I68 of the former. The working part of the former consists of the part I86 and the opposite part I14, there being a space I1I (Fig. 11)

therebetween at the lower end of the former. i

The complete former assembly comprises the part I68 (Fig. 14) and the opposite part I14 secured together at proper spacing by means of a spacer. bar I16. The assembly is held together by screws I13 (Figs. 11,, 12 and 18) which pass through slots I15, thus affording adjustment of the elevation of the former relative to the spacer bar. The spacer bar is enlarged to approximate H-shape at its upper end, as is indicated at I11 in Fig. 13. The staple driver I18 (Fig. 14) is vertically slidable within the former I66, I14. It has ridges which fit in staple guide grooves I84.

When the slide is in elevated position, the flattened wire 22 (Fig. 15) is fed by the feed means to provide the correct length of staple blank. The amount of feed is limited by the up stroke of slide 68 (Fig. 2) as adjusted by the stop screw 14 (Figs. 1 and 2). As the former descends, it first acts as a cutting punch in cooperation with the'die I64 and so cuts a blank of the shape indicatedin Figs. 4 and 15. This operation is also shown by comparison of Figs. 18 and 19, Fig. 18 showing the slide 68 and the former I88 in elevated position with the wire 22 resting on the cutting die I64. Fig. 19 shows the parts with the former I66 forced downwardly to the point where it has just severed a blank 24 from the wire, this blank being carried-downwardly by the former to an anvil I82 disposed therebeneath. (In Figs. 18-23 one side of the former is omitted, in order to better show the driver I18).

.. The anvil constitutes a part of the forming mechanism. It has a thickness equal to the desired inside dimension of the staple,. and the sides I66, I14 of the former are properly spaced to straddle the anvil. The inside walls of the former have the aforementioned guide grooves,

indicated at I84, and these receive the staple legs as the staple blank is bent around the anvil I82. This operation isshown in Fig. 20, in which the former has'descended'around the anvil I02 and so has bent the staple blank to inverted U-shape.

The anvil I82 is formed at the lower end of an anvil arm I88 pivoted at I 88 and having a cam follower extension I90. During the staple forming part of the cycle, a cam I92 on staple driver I 18 bearsagalnst the part I90, as is shown in Figs. 18 and 19, and thereby holds the anvil I82 in position beneath the former. However, beginning at or immediately after the position shown inFig. 20, the cam I92 moves beneath the I part I90, thereby freeing the anvil I82 for outward movement, as is shown in Fig. 21. I92 may be designed to then engage the anvil arm I08 and push the same outwardly, but this is not necessary, because the offset location of the pivot I88 01' the anvil arm causes the anvil to move outwardly under pressure of the driver. This frees the staple for continued downward movement.

The former and driver then move downwardly with the staple toward the clincher 40, as is shown in Figs. 21 and 22. When the former I86 approaches the clincher 40, its movement is changed from a positive movement to a yleldable movement. Reverting to Fig. 18, it may be explained that the former is moved downwardly by means of a dog I94 pivotallymounted at I66 on slide 68. The dog carries an upward cam follower extension I98 and cooperates with a stationary cam 200 mounted in thestaple driving head. In Fig. 18, the cam 200 bears against the lower end of dog I94 and holds the same in the position shown, at which time it engages the upper end 202 of the former. Referring now to Fig. 22, it will be seen that after the slide 68 has moved downwardly a sufficient distance, the dog I 94 moves below cam 200 and is then free to move toward the right. Moreover, the upper end I98 of the dog reaches and bears against the upper end of cam 200, and is thus positively moved toward the left, thereby positively changing the dog from the driving position of Fig. 18, to the disengaged position of Fig. 22, in which the dog is disengaged from the part 202 of the former.

It is desirable to bring the former all the way down to the work, because it acts as a drive channel to confine and guide the legs-of the staple. The continued movement of the former is, however, preferably made a yieldable rather than a positive one. This is accomplished by means of a compression spring 204 (Figs. 22 and 23) hearing against a plunger 206 and the lower end of which bears against the enlarged upper end I11 (Fig. 13) of the former.

In Fig. 23 the former I88 has reached the work and is thereupon arrested from continued movement by the clincher 40. This leads to compression of the spring 204 as the slide continues its descent. .The continued movement of the slide forces the staple driver I18 downwardly against the top or bridge of the staple, thus driv- Cam . slot, as by means of pins 222.

the driver from the shoulder 2 on the former. During upward movement of the slide 68, the driver is carried upwardly by means of a crosspin 2H carried by the slide 68 and passing through a slot or recess formed near the upper end of the driver. The former is in turn carried upwardly by the driver, by cooperation of the mating shoulders 2l2 and. to in Fig. 23, these coming into contact as is indicated in Figs. 18-22 of the drawings. As the slide moves upwardly, the stationary cam 200 turns the dog I84 from the disengaged position of Figs. 22 and 23, to the driving position of Fig. 18, and the cam i92 on the driver moves the anvil I82 from the outward position of Figs. 21-23, to the inward, or operative position of Figs. 18-20. The parts are then ready for another staple forming and driving operation.

One form of clinching anvil is shown in Figs. 22, 23 and 24. This form is intended to apply the staple around some of the fastener elements, as was described in connection with Figs. 6 and '7. The anvil is a generally cylindrical member having a curved clinching slot H8 in its upper end. The positioning stop 22!! is secured in a mating The fastener is placed on top of the clincher with the elements in interlocked relation. The part of the fastener tapes without any elements thereon is disposed over the positioning stop 220, and the fastener is moved toward the right until the engaged elements reach the stop 220. The treadle of the machine is then operated, thereby forming and securing a staple around the fastener elements at a predetermined distance from the endmost element, as determined by the positioning stop 220.

A modified clincher intended for use when fastening the end stop beneath the elements, as was described in connection with Figs. 8 and 9, is shown in Figs. 25 and 26. Here again the anvil comprises a generally cylindrical member 224 having a clinching slot 226 formed in its upper end. A positioning stop or pin 228 is provided, and this is located in the clinching slot 226 so that the staple will be applied immediately beneath the endmost fastener element. For rapid work, the positioning stop 228 preferably projects upwardly a substantial amount above the clincher, but inasmuch as the staple is driven at that point, the stop is made yieldable downwardly so as not to interfere with the staple driving operation. Specifically, the pin 228 is normally urged upwardly by means of; a spring 230, the latter fling housed within the clincher and held in position by a suitable plug 232. The gap space 234 of the tapes is passed over the positioning stop 228, and the tapes are moved to the right until the interlocked elements 236 reach the stop pin 228. The treadle of the machine is then operated, thereby forming and driving a staple.

If desired, a relatively broad slot 22."! may be provided, dimensioned to receive the' interlocked fastener elements (238 in Fig. 26) of the slide fastener. Also, if desired, a narrower slot 221 may be provided adapted to receive the beaded edges (234 in Fig. 26) of the gap space of the tapes, that is, the ends of the tapes which have no fastener elements. A slot similar to slot 225 may, of course, be provided on the top of the clincher 40 in Figs. 23 and 24, said slot extending all the way across the clincher to the upwardly projectingstop 220, for the interlocked fastener elev,ments are moved as far as the stop.

2 I 4, previously referred mounted in the position of anvil 40 in Figs. 1 and 2, the lower end of the anvil being reduced in diameter and provided with a nut 240. The compression spring 50 is a relatively stiff spring so as to insure tight clinching of the staple before the spring yields. A slight yieldability of the anvil is desirable in order to compensate for possible differences in the thickness of the material being stapled.

Rotation of the anvil is prevented by a key 242 (Fig. 2) slidably received in a keyway 244 out in the side of the anvil.

It i believed that the construction and operation, as well as the many advantages of my improved staple forming and setting machine, will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description thereof. It will also be apparent that while I have shown and described my invention in several preferred forms, many changes and modifications may be made in the structures disclosed, without departing from the spirit of the invention as sought to be' defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A staple forming and driving machine comprising means to support a reel of flat wire tock, means to intermittently feed the same over a cutting die, a former having a portion arranged to act as a cutting punch cooperating with said die, a driver within said former, a dog rockably carried by the driver and arranged at its lower end to engage the former, a stationary cam oooperating with said dog to positively move the same to either its engaged or disengaged position, and an anvil beneath said former.

2. A staple forming and driving machine comprising means to support areel of flat wire stock, means to intermittently feed the same over a cutting die, a former, a driver within said former, a dog rockably carried by the driver and arranged at its lower end to engage the former, a stationary cam cooperating with said dog to positively move the same to either its engaged or disengaged position, an anvil beneath said former, a portion of said former being shaped to actas a cutting punch cooperating with the aforesaid cutting die, means to retract the anvil, a clincher, the relation between the cam and dog being such that the former is moved positively until the staple is formed, springs between said driver and former to thereafter move the former yieldably, said dog being disengaged from the former by the cam as the latter approaches the clincher.

3. A staple forming and driving machine comprising means to support a reel of flat wire stock, means to intermittently feed the same over a cutting die, said feed means comprising aflrst friction wheel, a'second friction wheel, a ratchet wheel on one of said feed wheels, a former, a driver, an anvil beneath said former, a pawl carried by said driver for advancing 'the ratchet andfeed wheels during the upstroke of the driver, a spring pressed detent for engaging and looking said pawl in its inward position during-downward movement of the driver, and release means responsive to completion of a down stroke of the machine for releasing said pawl, whereby no wire is fed if the preceding stapling operation is not completed. 1

4. A staple forming and driving machine comprising means to support a reel of flat wire stock,

.means to intermittently feed the same over a cutting die, said feed means comprising a first friction wheel, a second friction wheel,.eccentric Either of the anvils above described may be 76 means mounting one of said wheels, meshing spur gears on said feed wheels, a ratchet wheel on one or said feed wheels, an arm extending transversely from said eccentric mounting, spring means bearing against said 'arm in such a direction as to urge the friction wheels together, a former, a driver within said former, an anvil beneath said former, a pawl carried by said driver for advancing the ratchet and feed wheels during the upstroke of the driver, a spring pressed detent for engaging and locking said pawl in its inward position during downward movement of the driver, and release means responsive to completion of a down stroke of the machine for releasing said pawl, whereby no wire is fed if the preceding stapling operation is not completed.

5. A staple forming and driving machine comprising means to support a reel of flatwire stock, means to intermittently feed the same over a cutting die, a former, a driver within said former, an anvil beneath said former, said anvil being formed at the lower end of a rocker which is 'so pivoted that when the anvil is put under pressure it tends to move out of the path of the driver, a cam on the driver for bearing against and holding the upper end of the anvil rocker outwardly and thereby holding the anvil beneath the driver, said cam being so located as to ride beneath the upper end of the anvil rocker and so free the anvil for outward movement after completion of the staple forming operation.

6. A staple forming and driving machine comprising means to support a reel of fiat wire stock, means to intermittently feed the same over a cutting die, said feed means comprising a first friction wheel, a second friction wheel, a ratchet wheel on one of said feed wheels, a former, a driver, an anvil beneath said former, a pawl carried by said driver for advancing th ratchet and feed wheels during the upstroke of the driver, said pawl being movably mounted for movement to inoperative position during downward movement of the driver, means for holding said pawl in its inoperative position during continued downward movement or premature upward movement of the driver, and means responsive to completion of a down stroke of the machine for restoring the pawl to operative position, whereby no wire is fed if the preceding stapling operation is not completed.

7. A staple forming and driving machine comprising means to support a reel of flat wire stock, means to intermittently feed the same over a cutting die, said feed means comprising a first friction wheel, a second friction wheel, eccentric means mounting one of said wheels, meshing spur gears on said feed wheels, a ratchet wheel on one of said feed wheels, an arm extending transversely from said eccentric mounting, spring means bearing against said arm in such a direction as to urge the friction wheels together, a

former, a driver within said former, an anvil beneath said former, a pawl carried by said driver for advancing the ratchet and feed wheels during the upstroke of the driver, said pawl being movably mounted for movement to inoperative 7 position during 1 downward movement of the driver, resilient means for holding said pawl in its inoperative position during continued downward movementor premature upward movement of the driver, and means responsive to completion of a down stroke of the machine for restoring f the pawl to operative position, whereby no wire is fed if the preceding stapling operation is not completed.

8. A staple forming and driving machine comprising means to support a reel of flat wire stock, means to intermittently feed the same over a cutting die, said feed means comprising a first ricfor restoring the pawl to operative position,

whereby nowire is fed if the preceding stapling operation is not completed by a full down stroke of the driver;

, RUDOLPH 

